Hurricane Nate has made a second landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi around 12:30 a.m. Its maximum winds are 85mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The center of the hurricane continues to move north at 20 mph.

The Hurricane Watch has been canceled for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, but both areas are still under a tropical storm warning. A storm surge warning is in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa coastal areas.

After landfall, the center of Nate is expected to move across the Deep South, Tennessee Valley and central Appalachian Mountains through Monday.

Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties are under a tornado watch effective until 2 a.m. Sunday. The three counties are also under a tropical storm warning and a storm surge warning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane watch from the Alabama-Florida border to the Okaloosa-Walton county line has been discontinued.

A flash flood watch is in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties through 1 a.m. Monday as Tropical Storm Nate moves north across the Gulf.

A hurricane watch means hurricane wind conditions are possible somewhere within this area and within the next 48 hours. Hurricane Nate reached hurricane strength as it traveled through the Gulf of Mexico Saturday night.

Hurricane Nate will continue moving northward toward the north central Gulf coast region today and brings a quick hit to our area tonight into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service, which indicates Nate`s impacts will likely be "quite significant."

Impacts include storm surge inundation, wind, rainfall and tornadoes. Winds will abruptly increase this evening into Sunday morning. At least some power outages, possibly widespread near where Nate's center passes, are likely across the region by early Sunday morning. The highest winds will generally be west of I-65 and closer to the coast.

Storm surge inundation of 2 to 5 feet, possibly as high as 6 feet, are forecast across the western Florida Panhandle. Local water rises could be sudden and recession slow in the two days following Nate`s passage.

Nate will also bring the potential for heavy rainfall to the area with 3 to 6 inches of rainfall with totals as high as 8 inches (especially along and west of I-65) beginning late this morning and continuing through Sunday.

Tornadoes will also be possible beginning this afternoon and continuing into Sunday. Our area is classically located in a favorable region for tornado production with respect to Nate's center. Tropical related tornadoes often spin up quickly and strike with little or no warning.

Pensacola Beach is also under a double red flag, which means no one is allowed in the water, including wading and surfing. Double red flags are also flying on Navarre Beach, and Navarre Pier will closed at 5 p.m. today, unless weather conditions indicate otherwise.

Our area will likely start feeling Nate's effects roughly between 4 p.m. and sunset Saturday, said Ryan Rogers, National Weather Service meteorologist. He estimated conditions will likely be at their worst Sunday morning around 7 a.m., but noted those windows were ballparks estimates subject to change.

Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies are on the streets making sure residents of coastal and low-lying areas are aware of the county’s evacuation order. He said deputies will continue their efforts until the weather makes it unsafe for them to be on the street.

Hobbs said it was important for people to stay off the roads as well if at all possible, and urged them to be wary of flooded streets, downed power lines and other hazards.

"We want everyone to make sure they, their families and their friends are safe," Hobbs said. "Just do what it takes to stay safe."

Evacuation orders and recommendations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties affect roughly 100,000 people, according to the governor's news release.

In addition to shelters, VISIT FLORIDA and Expedia will keep expedia.com/florida site activated to provide lodging information to evacuees and visitors.

Escambia County has ordered evacuations for Zones A and B beginning at 6 a.m. today. To look up your address online, visit this county website. You can search by address or parcel number and then look for the "Emergency Management Report." The address function is self-populating, so type slowly and then choose the address from the drop down list.

Those who live in a mobile home or have special needs should consider evacuating no matter which zone they live in, according to the county.

The following shelters opened at 8 a.m. today with 93 people taking shelter in Escambia County by 4 p.m.:

Pet friendly shelter

Molino Park Elementary School, 899 Highway 97

Special-needs shelter only

West Florida High School buildings 9, 25 & 26 2400 Longleaf Drive

General population shelters

Jim Bailey Middle School, 4110 Bauer Road

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St.

Marie Young/Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road

If you go to a shelter, you will need to take the following items to support you and your family:

A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes

Toiletries and personal items

Blankets or sleeping bags and pillows

ID and any important papers

Games, toys or books for children

Books for adults

Special items for infants or elderly family members

Any special dietary needs & nonperishable foods for snacks

Battery-operated radio, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries

Prescription medications or any over-the-counter medications you normally take

In Santa Rosa County, there is a recommended evacuation for Zone A, which includes all mobile homes, campgrounds, RV parks and those living in low-lying areas.

The evacuation zones represent areas where storm surge may go, depending upon the conditions of any specific tropical storm or hurricane.

Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said local bridges will closed when winds hits 40 miles per hour.

The Florida Department of Transportation has suspended interstate and highway construction in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties until Monday to accommodate the possible increase in traffic as drivers evacuate from the Panhandle coastline area, according to a news release from the governor's office.

What about bridges?

Bridges will close for safety at sustained (not gusts) wind speeds of 39 mph or greater. At this time, this may take place as early as late afternoon, according to Pensacola officials. Officials warn those in evacuation zones that once the bridges close, you will not be able to leave via a bridge and may be stranded at your location.

Cash toll collection operations on the Garcon Point Bridge will be managed using Toll-By-Plate beginning today. Anyone using SunPass or other interoperable transponders are not affected.

Customers without transponders will be invoiced for tolls and will not be charged an administrative fee during the period that Toll-By-Plate is in use.

The Mid-Bay Bridge in Okaloosa County will also suspend cash collection and will send invoices to drivers passing over the bridge.

Local cancellations and closures

Schools, airport and military

Pensacola International Airport will close and cease all operations at 6 p.m. Saturday and will remain closed Sunday. Weather permitting, normal operations are expected to resume Monday, according to a Facebook post.

Passengers with impacted travel plans should contact their airlines for flight information and details on rebooking and cancellations.

People trying to access the parking garage Saturday must present a valid airline ticket with same-day scheduled departure. Access to the parking garage will close Saturday and will not reopen until Monday.

Pensacola State College will close at 5 p.m. Saturday and remain closed through Sunday. All activities and classes on campus or online are canceled. The college will conduct the previously scheduled SAT testing on Saturday. PSC will resume normal operations, activities and class schedules on Monday.

Escambia County School District students are not in session Monday as part of a pre-planned teacher training day. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said staff will be notified Sunday if Monday's training day will go on as planned.

Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick said the Santa Rosa County School District is canceling all activities Saturday evening due to the storm. School will resume Monday unless things change.

The University of West Florida will close all of its locations starting at noon Saturday through Monday. That includes all classes, events, campus and online courses. The university expected to reopen on Tuesday unless conditions change.

Pensacola Naval Air Station, Corry Station and Saufley Field have curtailed normal operations and closed the installations to all visitors as Hurricane Nate continues to gain strength and move across the Gulf. All tourist attractions, including the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Barrancas, are closed. The base and all facilities will reopen and resume normal operations on Monday, unless the weather forecast changes significantly.

Events

The Liberty Voices Fine Arts Series performance at Pensacola Christian College scheduled for Saturday night has been canceled. Refunds will be issued.

The group will perform a special casual concert at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Crowne Centre on the campus of Pensacola Christian College. The concert is free and no tickets are required. Liberty Voices in a Florida-based a cappella group from the Walt Disney Co.

The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra has canceled its opening night and dress rehearsal as Hurricane Nate continues to move rapidly over the central Gulf of Mexico. Opening night was originally scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Saenger Theatre. The symphony is working to reschedule the performance and will notify patrons when additional information is available.

WSRE's "StudioAmped" performance by Johnny Hayes & The Loveseats that was scheduled for Monday has been canceled. The remainder of the "StudioAmped" lineup will be performed as scheduled, resuming Tuesday with Jimmy Lumpkin & The Revival.

The Santa Rosa Island Triathlon was canceled due to the storm. More information can be found here.

The Japan-U.S Military Program scheduled for Saturday at the National Naval Aviation Museum has been canceled.

Sacred Heart Health System has postponed its Medical Mission at Home event, which was scheduled for Saturday at Pensacola High School. The event, a day of free screenings, social services and health care services, will be rescheduled.

The BaseFEST concert on board Pensacola Naval Air Station that was scheduled for Saturday is canceled. It will not be rescheduled.

The eighth annual Navarre Beach Take A Kid Fishing event set for Saturday at the Navarre Pier has been re-scheduled. It will now take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Oct. 21, pending approval from the Santa Rosa County commissioners.

Pensacola State College has canceled Pensacola ComposerFest XIII, which was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the school's Ashmore Fine Arts Auditorium.

Pensacola Day, a Campus Church event scheduled for Saturday, has been canceled because the weather is expected to affect many of the event's outdoor activities.

Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue's Second Annual Dane-Toberfest, a fundraising event featuring adoptable dogs, food and vendors, has been rescheduled for Oct. 15 at Seville Square from noon to 5 p.m

Other

Home Depot stores are closing at 6 p.m. in the Pensacola and Pace areas.

City of Pensacola community resource centers will close at the end of business day Saturday and will remain closed Sunday.

The Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge is closed until further notice.

ECAT: Route 61 to Pensacola Beach was suspended at noon Saturday. Route 64 Beach Jumper will not run service on Saturday.

The following state parks in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties closed at 5 p.m. Friday:

Big Lagoon State Park (Escambia County)

Blackwater Heritage State Trail (Santa Rosa County)

Blackwater River State Park (Santa Rosa County)

Perdido Key State Park (Escambia County)

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park (Escambia County)

Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park (Santa Rosa County)

Beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, outside activities, including youth sports, will be canceled at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze. Also at 4 p.m. Saturday, Shoreline Park South, including the boat ramp, pier, parking area and beach, will be closed. The Gulf Breeze Community Center and Shoreline Park are expected to reopen at noon Sunday.

The National Park Service closed all of Gulf Islands National Seashore to the public. The closure included all of the park’s Mississippi islands, Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas, Naval Live Oaks, Santa Rosa Island and the Okaloosa and Perdido Key areas. All campers at the Fort Pickens and Davis Bayou campgrounds had to evacuate by noon Friday.

All local YMCA branches will open on time Saturday and offer scheduled programs and classes before closing at 4 p.m. Saturday. The branches will remain closed on Sunday.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will temporarily close Escambia Bay and the East Bay shellfish harvest areas for the harvest of oysters, clams and mussels as a precaution. The areas will close at sunset Saturday.

What can you do to prepare?

Right now, the most important thing residents can do is make sure they are prepared with the appropriate supplies and that they are following local media for updates.

Santa Rosa County has limited supplies of sand available for free at several locations:

Leisure Street at Citrus Drive in Holley By the Sea

Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze

Pace Fire Rescue District in Pace

Corner of Pine Forest Road and Carroll Road in Milton

Residents must bring shovels to fill and load their own sand bags. Bags are available for purchase at local home improvement stores.

Sand bags will be available at the Gulf Breeze Community Center during hours of operation until close at 6 p.m. Saturday. There is a limit of 10 per household.

A filling station is available at Shoreline Park, adjacent to the dog park.

Escambia County is not providing sand bags because "sand bags are not an effective tool for storm surge," according to a county spokeswoman. Flooding is not expected for this storm.